I started fishing this particular lake last year which is routinely filled with anglers trolling for walleye. I've had some excellent trips catching above average smb. This last season during the first two weeks in June there was a major big fly hatch at sunset and the fish were all over them. I was largely unprepared for this. I did try every top water bait in the boat but the fish were very keyed in on the bug bite and wanted nothing to do with anything I had to offer. I wasn't certain what these fish were, but it was obvious by the size of the swirls and gulps, they were not pan fish. I was frustrated but learning.

Well this year, I was ready for them. My wife's uncle who lives down the road a bit, is a big time trout fly fishing river boat guide (and master fly tier). So Uncle Jerry hooked me up with the basics. I have some minimal fly casting experience and was hoping I would be able to deliver the fly far enough from the canoe to get bit while at the same time not piercing an ear. As it turned out, I managed both, so far.

So I've been checking the lake each evening at sunset, fly casting tackle at the ready.

Last week the bugs started showing up and ever since each sunset I have been treated to some of the wildest, fly reel drag screaming smb action I've ever had. Smallies on a 6-wt fly rod are a Blast ! Of course any way we catch them is great but top water fly casting is something special. Old Brownie is really able to show off his speed, strength and stamina when pinned to a 4 lb tippet.

I have been blown away at the number and size of the smb (and walleyes if you can believe that) that are willing to move into fairly skinny water to gorge themselves on these bugs (mayflies I think).

The past two nights have been cooler and we've had rain. There has been no hatch to speak of so the fly casting is on hold until this changes. One thing is certain, if this continues to be an annual event, the post spawn season just got a whole lot better.

A-Jay

great story and nice looking SM

That truly must have been a blast, I am jealous

Nice sm..................

Very nice A-Jay. One of the ultimates in fw angling right there.

Those big mayflies were probably one of the burrowing mayflies, most probably Hexagenia -the biggest and most common in northern lakes. "Hex" larvae, as the they are called, burrow in fine gravel, sand, and silty sand.

I used to fish Hex and Ephemera (another big burrower genus) emergences for smallies back in NY.

That has got to be a thrill! Beautiful fish!

Very nice A-Jay. One of the ultimates in fw angling right there.

Those big mayflies were probably one of the burrowing mayflies, most probably Hexagenia -the biggest and most common in northern lakes. "Hex" larvae, as the they are called, burrow in fine gravel, sand, and silty sand.

I used to fish Hex and Ephemera (another big burrower genus) emergences for smallies back in NY.

I do believe that's right - with the Hex - I hear the trout guys go koo-koo- around here on the major brown trout rivers about this time too.  And the areas with the sand bottom have been the key for me as well.

A-Jay

Great sm A-Jay

Man,i want to learn fly fishing so bad....But i just don't have the time.

DON'T YOU LOVE IT WHEN YOU CAN FIGURE A SITUATION OUT AND THEN CAPITAIZE ON IT. I BET THOSE SMALLIES PUT UP A HECK OF A FIGHT ON 4 WT. CONGRATULATIONS!!! :exclamation

Dude, a 19" smallie has got to be a BLAST on a 5 wt. nicely done!

Hey A-Jay whats going on up there, didn't you just post a huge largemouth a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure I'm not to far from you and im sure you have an extra room so I'm just going to come live with you..

Paragon

Hey A-Jay whats going on up there, didn't you just post a huge largemouth a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure I'm not to far from you and im sure you have an extra room so I'm just going to come live with you..

Paragon

Excellent !  You can feed and play with my dogs while my wife and I are out fishing.

A-Jay